If you’re purchasing or redeveloping a property in Western Australia, completing proper due diligence is an important first step. It’s essential for understanding environmental risks that could affect value, compliance and land use.
A well-structured environmental due diligence investigation will identify soil and groundwater contamination before contracts are finalised. At West Soil and Water, we support clients throughout the whole process, offering desktop studies, contaminated site testing and remediation advice.
In this article, we outline each of the 7 stages of our environmental assessments. For more information or to book a consultation, please get in touch.
In the first stage, we review all available information to build an initial picture of the site’s history and risk potential. Our team look at:
Land titles and planning records: To identify any restrictions or conditions tied to contamination.
Aerial photographs and historical maps: To spot historical industrial or agricultural use.
Regulatory databases: Such as the DWER Contaminated Sites Database, to see if any nearby or associated sites are listed as contaminated.
Starting with a desktop study gives us a rough guide for the following stages. It shapes the focus of on-site work and reveals the “red flags” we should be looking for.
A desktop study is only as good as the physical inspection that follows it. Our team conduct a site walkover to verify their findings and look for visible indicators of contamination. They may note:
Soil staining, unusual odours or disturbed ground
Presence of asbestos materials or chemical storage infrastructure
Signs of underground storage tanks (USTs) or pipelines
Vegetation stress that could signal underlying soil or groundwater issues
To protect your compliance and minimise the risk of delay, we behind stakeholder engagement early in the investigation. In conversations with landowners, tenants and local authorities, we’ll make clear our plans for the site and what they can expect going forward.
Stakeholders may also reveal to us any undocumented site activities (like informal waste disposal) that could cause contamination absent from official records.
We take our findings from the first three steps and compile them into a PSI report, providing:
An overview of potential contamination sources
Identification of areas requiring further testing
A assessment of whether the land is suitable for its intended use
If no significant risks are identified, the PSI may provide enough assurance for the transaction or development to proceed. If concerns remain, the next step is a Detailed Site Investigation.
A DSI is undertaken when a PSI indicates potential contamination. This assessment involves:
Soil sampling
Groundwater monitoring
Laboratory analysis using NATA-accredited facilities to confirm contamination levels.
These produce hard data that quantifies the type, extent and severity of contamination. With that data, we advise whether remediation, management or ongoing monitoring is the most suitable approach.
Our consultants compare site data against WA regulations, including the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 and NEPM guidelines. Our recommendations may include:
Immediate commencement of remediation works
Construction of an ongoing monitoring plan
Designing a management plan that supports development goals
This is the stage where you will gain a clear picture of you site’s environmental conditions and your subsequent compliance obligations.
Finally, our team integrate their findings and recommendations into the property’s transaction or development plan. This ensures transparency and fairness for buyers and for developers and provides clarity about the next steps.
At West Soil and Water, our consultants provide comprehensive, end-to-end support throughout the investigation process. They deliver:
Clear, compliance-focused reports that satisfy DWER and local government requirements
Practical recommendations tailored to your site, project and budget.
Independent advice that balances compliance with the realities of your project.
Get in touch with us early in the process and we’ll help you avoid costly suprises down the track.
Proper investigations are methodically planned, step-by-step processes geared towards compliance obligations. If conducted well, they can reveal risks before they become liabilities.
At West Soil & Water, we support clients throughout the whole process, from desktop research to testing soil for petroleum and other contamination. Working with us, buyers, sellers and developers can move forward with the confidence of knowing their decisions are grounded in hard data.
If you’re planning a property transaction or development and would like to conduct contaminated site testing, contact us today.
